Dozens Rally in Victoria Calling for Climate Action

What will it take to force the government to take action to resolve the current climate crisis threatening both the environment and our way of life worldwide?

About 60 people gathered at Centennial Square in Victoria at the call of 350 to demand that the government address the current climate crisis, starting with a reduction of fossil fuel consumption. Notably present were some Save Old Growth organisers including Trevor Mckelvie, at least one Fairy Creek veteran, and NDP MP Laurel Collins, although the crowd represented a variety of converging interests, all concerned about the impact of anthropomorphic climate change on the entire planet.

Laurel Collins, NDP MP of Victoria, addresses the crowd.

Watch more videos on Youtube.

NDP MP Laurel Collins addressing the crowd.
Protester denounces government inaction over heat waves killing our loved ones.

What I witnessed was a fractured and frustrated movement desperate to reach out to politicians that do not listen or care and will go to just about any length to suppress dissent in favour of corporate interests and short-term gain. Even Save Old Growth is struggling to come up with a strategy that will work after announcing it would no longer blockade highways. Laurel Collins made the rather tepid suggestion of reaching out to our elected representatives, which the crowd did directly by reminding her she’s the MP of Victoria. But she makes a valid point: one way or another, protesters have to reach out to politicians, and every means of protest should be weighed against this one imperative.

The crowd forms a circle to listen to speakers.
Is it worded in simple enough terms that everybody can understand?

Speeches stressed the fact that this crisis is impacting all living things on this planet. Multiple speakers have lamented the fact that heat waves kill a lot of people due to urban microclimates (it arguably killed as many people as COVID during the same period), that the oil and gas industry doesn’t need even more government subsidies, and that the whole issue constituted environmental racism against aboriginals relying more heavily on the land for survival. One animal rights activist even pointed out humans aren’t the only ones feeling the heat.

Here’s a Fairy Creek veteran who got arrested for the cause.

It remains to be seen whether more action by protesters can make the government feel the heat. In any case, I expect a very hot protest summer this year, with plenty of people eager to take the fight to our elected representatives.

Recent Posts

Introducing the Victoria Liberation Front

We are not powerless, we are disorganised!

1 day ago

Victoria Marches for Palestine, Take Fifty-Six

I've been out of commission for three weeks. Come see how the rallies evolve on the ground as I myself…

2 days ago

I’ll Be Out of Commission for a While…

I had big plans to bring good fights to the City of Victoria, but I have to put them on…

3 weeks ago

CRAB Park Residents Petition BC Supreme Court for Judicial Review

Here's the latest chapter in the judicial saga opposing unhoused residents of CRAB Park and the Vancouver Park Board.

3 weeks ago

Victoria Marches for Palestine, Take Fifty-Three

As the crisis widens in the Middle East, a broader fight has been looming against the Zionist regime, and this…

3 weeks ago

NO, I WON’T TAKE BACK MY STATEMENT ON SUSAN KIM!!!

Lately a lot of you people have been getting under my skin and I've been itching to write about it.…

4 weeks ago

Are you protesting social injustice?

Whether you're denouncing police brutality or government overreach, clamouring for a safe drug supply or affordable housing, defending homeless encampments or fighting off the colonial invader, advocating for the disabled or racial minorities, pursuing either legal or extralegal means of retaliation, you'll find plenty of interest within these pages by a fellow insurrectionist butting heads with a callous society and a corrupt system. Come misbehave with the rest of us!

Subscribe on wordpress.com (click the "Subscribe" button for email notifications)

Recent Posts